The pool of experienced coaching candidates for the open positions in Washington and Edmonton is getting smaller. Former Carolina Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs coach Paul Maurice is headed to the KHL, where he'll coach Metallurg Magnitogorsk, he confirmed in a text.

Official as of ten minutes ago," he texted Friday morning.

Maurice said former NHL goalie and Hurricanes assistant Tom Barrasso will join his staff in Russia.

After the Hurricanes started this past season 8-13-4, Maurice was fired and replaced by Kirk Muller.

Maurice coached the Hartford Whalers (which moved and became the Carolina Hurricanes) from 1995-96 to early in the 2003-04 season, when he was fired. The Hurricanes reached the Stanley Cup finals in 2001-02, losing to the Detroit Red Wings.

He coached the Maple Leafs in 2006-07 and 2007-08, and was fired after the team missed the playoffs both seasons.

He was hired for a second stint with the Hurricanes in December 2008, and led the team to the Eastern Conference finals that season.

Maurice is the winningest coach in franchise history. His overall record as an NHL coach is 460-457-167.